I know that we are having a bit of trouble finding the right kind of person for the jobs we want filled. Most go to banks because they tend to have better "peps" but you run the risk of being overly specialised after a while.

You cannot compare it with London, a lot less money buys you exactly the same if not better lifestyle, the company my Dad worked for had done the calculations as has Kraft, apparently. I remember being told that you needed about 90K pounds in London to comfortably live with a family with children. It's no way near that much here.